Lifting and excavating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A backhoe bucket of the type including two sections attached for relative pivotal movement and a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the sections relative to each other, the actuator being connected to the sections below the axis of pivotal movement and the bottoms of the two sections overlapping when the sections are in their relatively closed position.

O United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,767,070 Arnold 1 1 Oct. 23, 1973 [54] LIFTING AND EXCAVATING APPARATUS 3,341,041 9/1967 Salna 214/145 W 3,010,590 11 1961 T 6:11 214 147 o [75] lnvenwfl g A1110, Westmmster, 2,621,428 12/1952 Billings 294/70 ass.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ,M [-7731 Arsslgnegwm Rq-yruubbardsmn ass 1,034,139 6/1966 Great Britain 214/147 o [22 Filed: Apr. 13, 1971 [21] APP NuZ 133 501 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Oresky Attorney-W. R. Hulbert [52] US. Cl 214/146 R, 214/147 G, 294/104,

294/88 [57 ABSTRACT 51 1111.0 E02t 3/81 1 [58] Field of Search 214/147, 145, 146 E, A backhoe bucket f h typ including two sections 214/146, 138 R; 37/ 1 17.5 attached for relative pivotal movement and a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the sections relative to each [56] Ref renc Cit d other, the actuator being connected to the sections UNITED'STATES PATENTS below the axis of pivotal movement and the bottoms 2 56] 10/1943 Drott 214/147 R x of the two sections overlapping when the sections are 3:070:246 12 1962 Johnson et al 37 1175 x m 'elatvely 3,214,040 10 1965 Willinger 214/138 R 18 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 3,243,905 4/1966 Ulrich 37/1175 PAYENIEU 001 2 3 i975 sum 1 or 3 FIG.|

LIFTING AND EXCAVATING APPARATUS This invention relates to material handling apparatus, and more particularly, to a backhoe bucket.

One common type of apparatus for earth excavation and incidental handling of related materials, commonly known as a backhoe, includes a bucket pivotally attached to a dipper stick which is in turn movably attached to the rear of a vehicle. The bucket is oriented with respect to the vehicle in such a way that its operative leading edge contacts the earth in motion generally toward the vehicle. In the past, most backhoe buckets have been designed in such a way that they are not suitable, without extensive changes, for more than one type of use. A few multiple function buckets have been designed, but none have been generally satisfactory. In particular, they have been too wide and have not opened sufficiently to be suitable for excavation work close to a wall or similar obstacle. Neither have they been well suited for picking up objects wider than the scoop, such as pipes, logs, or stones. Further, they have been subject to soil build-up in the bucket which is not easily dislodged.

It is a principal object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an improved and narrow backhoe bucket including two pivotally attached sections which can be widely separated for working either section separately. It is a principal object of another aspect of the invention to provide a two-section backhoe bucket which is of variable capacity and capable of picking up objects wider than the bucket. Other objects which may encompass both aspects include providing a backhoe bucket which is also capable of use as a shovel or clamshell, which is particularly suited for excavation in close proximity to obstacles, has an increased range of operations, in which the two sections may be pivoted relative to each other more than 90 for working with either section alone, and which may accommodate attachments, such as augers, compactors, backfill blades, and pavement breakers, engaging them simply and quickly without modification of the bucket and without requiring the operator to leave the vehicle cab.

its first aspect, the invention features, in a backhoe bucket of the type including two sections attached for relative pivotal movement and a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the sections relative to each other, that improvement wherein the actuator is connected to the sections below the axis of pivotal movement. The second aspect features a two-section bucket in which the bottoms of the two sections overlap when they are in their relatively closed position. Preferred embodiments including both aspects and in which the rear section fits partially within the front section further feature cutting means at the leading and trailing edges of the front section and the leading edge of the rear section, detachable pivotal connection between the two sections, each side of each section defining a concave surface facing the other section and each side of one of the sections defining a convex surface adjacent the concave surface, and arrangement of the actuator for exerting its maximum force for pivoting the sections away from each other and for pivoting the sections relatively through an arc of not less than 90.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear from the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Flg. 1 is a perspective view of a bucket constructed according to the present invention in its closed operative position;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the bucket of FIG. 1 in open operative position; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus operating as a grab.

Referring more particularly to the drawing there is shown a bucket 10 pivotally attached to the dipper stick 12 of a hydraulic backhoe. As shown, bucket 10 includes complementary front and rear sections, designated 16 and 14 respectively, detachably pivotally connected to each other by a hinge pin 15.

Front section 16 comprises a pair of spaced, roughly triangular side walls 18, 20, joined at their base (spaced from hinge pin 15) by a slightly curved bottom plate 22. Conventional teeth 24 are provided along the front edge 21 of plate 22 and a reinforced cutting plate 26 is mounted on the plate rear edge 23. A cylindrical crossbar 28, from which a pair of ears 30 project perpendicularly rearwardly (towards rear section 14) extends laterally between and is welded to side walls 18, 20, a short distance below hinge pin 15.

Rear section 14 similarly has generally triangular spaced side walls 32, 34 joined by a curved, laterally extending rear and bottom wall 36 and a cylindrical crossbar 37, and includes additionally an upper mounting plate 38 welded along its edges to the top edges of each of walls 32, 34, and 36. A reinforced cutting bar 40 is secured along the leading edge 37 of wall 36. A pair of brackets 42 which comprises a junction member, are welded along the upper surface of mounting plate 38, extending parallel with and substantially midway between side walls 32, 34.

The mouth of rear section 14, defined by the leading edges 33 of side walls 32, 34 and cutting bar 40, is of slightly less height and width than adjacent mouth of front section 16 so that the rear section will pass partially within said front section when bucket 10 isin the closed operative position as shown in FIG. 1. In the closed position, edges 33 of rear section 14 abut stops 17 on the inside surfaces of side walls 18, 20 of front section 16, and the sides and the bottoms of the sections overlap.

The leading edges 33 of side walls 32, 34 of rear section 14 are concave. The trailing edges 19 of side walls 18, 20 of front section 16 are S-shaped. Viewed from the rear, the upper portion of each edge is convex, and the lower portion of each edge is concave. Thus, when, as shown in FIG. 4., bottom trailing edge 23 of front bucket section 16 and bottom leading edge 37 of bucket section 14 are substantially in alignment, the lower portions of the sides of the bucket sections do not overlap. Rather there is open space between the lower halves of the leading side edges 33 of rear bucket section 14 and the respective facing trailing side edges 19 of front section 16.

One end of brackets 42 is pivoted to dipper stick 12 by a hinge pin 44. The center of brackets 42 is pivotally attached to the adjacent end of a link member 48, the other end of the member 48 being pivotally attached to links 50 by hinge pin 49. The other ends of links 50 are connected by hinge pin 51 to dipper stick 12 at a point spaced from pin 44. The piston rod 52 of a hydraulic actuator 53 (for swinging bucket 10 relative to dipper stick 12) is connected to hinge pin 49 connecting link member 48 and links 50. A second hydraulic actuator 54 is connected between the end of brackets 42 most distant from pin 44 and ears 30 of crossbar 28 of front section 16, and maximum hydraulic force is available for opening the bucket sections. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the cylinder end 56 of actuator 54 is detachably attached to a hinge pin 58; the end of the actuator piston rod 60 is fixed to a member 62 extending between ears 30 and pivotally attached to ears 30 by pin 61.

In operation, the positioning of the hydraulic actuator 54 below hinge pin (i.e., between hinge pin 15 and the bottoms of the sections) and of pin 61 on the side of hinge pin 15 nearer pin 58 makes it possible to pivot front section 16 more than 90 relative to rear section 14. When the bucket is in its closed operative (FIG. 1) position in which front edges 33 abut stops 17 the piston 54 of actuator 54 is withdrawn most of the way into the actuator cylinder and the bucket is of sufficiently shallow dimension as to make possible excavation in close proximity to a wall or like obstacle. In addition, almost the entire piston rod length 60 is removed from contact with dirt or abrasive materials in the bucket. When the piston is extended, the front and rear sections are pivoted apart (FIGS. 2 and 3) so that rear section 14 may be usedfor independent excava-.

tion operations, front section 16 may be used independently for loosening material without interior accumlation residue, or for cleaning of the bucket interior. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the elongated portions of ears 30 are adapted for overlying opposite sides of and protecting piston 60. Becaue of the substantial overlap of the sides and bottoms of sections 14 and 16, the working capacity of the bucket may be varied.

The design of the preferred embodiment is especially suitable for narrow, relatively small buckets. In larger buckets of increased width, the actuators for relatively pivoting bucket sections may be mounted exteriorly of the bucket in position straddling dipper stick 12 and bracket 42. In such buckets, the actuators may be attached either above or below the section pivotal axis (depending on the desired pivotal movement of the sections with respect to each other and desired direction of maximum force), and the actuating forces may be applied substantialy in line with the side plates of the sections.

As shown in FIG. 4, the overlap of the section bottoms, and the relatively concave configuration of the adjacent section side walls enable the bucket to grasp objects, such as log L, firmly when used as a grab.

Other embodiments within the scope of the following claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In an excavating bucket comprising:

a first bucket section having two sides, a bottom, and a top including a junction member, said junction member being adapted for connection to the arm of a vehicle for pivotal movement relative to said arm about a first axis,

a second bucket section having two sides and a bottom mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first bucket section about a second axis; and,

a hydraulic actuator attached to both of said sections and operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other, each of said sections being substantially open on the side thereof facing the other of said sections, and said actuator being operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other between a first closed position and a second open position, that improvement wherein: said actuator is mounted within said sections between said second axis and the bottom of said bucket and includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, one of said cylinder and said piston rod being attached to said first section and the other of said cylinder and said piston rod being attached to said second section such that said rod is withdrawn into said cylinder when said sections are pivoted toward each other,

said bottoms of said sections overlap when saidsections are in said closed position,

the sides of one of said sections overlap thesides of the other of said sections when said sections are in said closed position, and,

each side of each of said sections defines a surface facing towards the other of said sections and the portion of each of said surfaces extending from adjacent the bottom edge of the respective section to approximately midway the height thereof is concave, said concave surfaces of one of said sections being spaced away from said concave surfaces of the other of said sections when the adjacent edges of the bottoms of said sections are in substantial juxtaposition.

2. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said sections are pivotally connected to eachother.

3. The bucket of claim 2 wherein said sections are detachably connected.

4. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said actuator is arranged to be operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other through an arc of not less than 5. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said bottom of said front section includes a trailing edge, said bottom of said rear section includes a leading edge, and at least one of said sections includes cutting means secured to the bottom thereof and extending beyond the edge thereof towards the other of said sections.

6. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said front section includes a leading edge extending away from said rear section, and including cutting means secured adjacent each of said edges.

7. The bucket of .claim 1 wherein each of said side surfaces of one of said sections includes a convexportion above the concave portion of said each side surface.

8. In an excavating bucket comprising:

a rear bucket section;

a front bucket section mounted for pivotal movement relative to said rear bucket section, each of said sections including two sides and a bottom and being substantially open on the side thereof facing the other of said sections; and,

an actuator attached to said bucket sections and operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other between a first closed position wherein the bottoms of said sections overlap and a second open position wherein said bottoms are spaced apart,

said bottom and sides of said rear bucket section defining respective leading edges, and said bottom and sides of said front bucket section defining re-- spective trailing edges,

that improvement wherein:

each of said side edges of one of said sections defines a concave surface extending upwardly from adjacent the bottom edge of said one section to approximately midway the height of said one section; and, said side edges of the other of said sections define respective surfaces such that when said leading edge of said bottom of said rear bucket section and said trailing edge of said bottom of said front bucket section are in substantial juxtaposition the lower portion of each of said side edges of said one section is spaced spart from the lower portion of the adjacent one of the side edges of said other section.

9. The bucket of claim 8 wherein said rear section is fitted partially within said front section where said sections are in said closed position.

10. The bucketof claim 8 including means for attaching said bucket to the arm of a vehicle for pivotal movement relative to said arm about an axis adjacent said axis of relative pivotal movement of said sections.

11. The bucket of claim 8 wherein each of side edges of said other section defines a concave surface extending upwardly from adjacent the bottom edge of said other section to approximately midway the height of 14. The bucket of claim wherein one of said sections fits partially within the other of said sections with the respective sides and bottoms of said sections overlapping when said sections are in said closed position.

15. The bucket of claim 8 wherein said actuator is arranged to be operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other through an arc of not less than 16. The bucket of claim 8 wherein said sections are connected to each other for pivotal movement about an axis, and said actuator is mounted within said sections between said axis and the bottom of said bucket and includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, one of said cylinder and rod being attached to said front section, the other of said cylinder and rod being attached to said rear section, and said rod being withdrawn into said cylinder when said sections are pivoted toward each other.

17. The bucket of claim 14 wherein one of said bottom and sides of one of said sections defines stop means projecting therefrom and arranged to engage one of said edges of the other of said sections when said sections are in said closed position.

18. The bucket of claim 17 wherein a stop projects inwardly from each side of said front section and said side leading edges of said rear section engage said stops when said sections are in said closed position.

K l i i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CORRECTION PatentNOABJWM Da ted October 3., 1913 Inventor-(s) cez roll H. Arnold It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby Corrected as shown below:

Columri 1, line 43, before "its" insert "In- Column in er "claim" add 8+.

Sign'edand sealed this 12th day of March 1974.

(SEAL) At tes t: I EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. v :c f. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer v Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (10-69) q ff USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 

1. In an excavating bucket comprising: a first bucket section having two sides, a bottom, and a top including a junction member, said junction member being adapted for connection to the arm of a vehicle for pivotal movement relative to said arm about a first axis, a second bucket section having two sides and a bottom mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first bucket section about a second axis; and, a hydraulic actuator attached to both of said sections and operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other, each of said sections being substantially open on the side thereof facing the other of said sections, and said actuator being operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other between a first closed position and a second open position, that improvement wherein: said actuator is mounted within said sections between said second axis and the bottom of said bucket and includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, one of said cylinder and said piston rod being attached to said first section and the other of said cylinder and said piston rod being attached to said second section such that said rod is withdrawn into said cylinder when said sections are pivoted toward each other, said bottoms of said sections overlap when said sections are in said closed position, the sides of one of said sectionS overlap the sides of the other of said sections when said sections are in said closed position, and, each side of each of said sections defines a surface facing towards the other of said sections and the portion of each of said surfaces extending from adjacent the bottom edge of the respective section to approximately midway the height thereof is concave, said concave surfaces of one of said sections being spaced away from said concave surfaces of the other of said sections when the adjacent edges of the bottoms of said sections are in substantial juxtaposition.
 2. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said sections are pivotally connected to each other.
 3. The bucket of claim 2 wherein said sections are detachably connected.
 4. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said actuator is arranged to be operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other through an arc of not less than 90*.
 5. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said bottom of said front section includes a trailing edge, said bottom of said rear section includes a leading edge, and at least one of said sections includes cutting means secured to the bottom thereof and extending beyond the edge thereof towards the other of said sections.
 6. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said front section includes a leading edge extending away from said rear section, and including cutting means secured adjacent each of said edges.
 7. The bucket of claim 1 wherein each of said side surfaces of one of said sections includes a convex portion above the concave portion of said each side surface.
 8. In an excavating bucket comprising: a rear bucket section; a front bucket section mounted for pivotal movement relative to said rear bucket section, each of said sections including two sides and a bottom and being substantially open on the side thereof facing the other of said sections; and, an actuator attached to said bucket sections and operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other between a first closed position wherein the bottoms of said sections overlap and a second open position wherein said bottoms are spaced apart, said bottom and sides of said rear bucket section defining respective leading edges, and said bottom and sides of said front bucket section defining respective trailing edges, that improvement wherein: each of said side edges of one of said sections defines a concave surface extending upwardly from adjacent the bottom edge of said one section to approximately midway the height of said one section; and, said side edges of the other of said sections define respective surfaces such that when said leading edge of said bottom of said rear bucket section and said trailing edge of said bottom of said front bucket section are in substantial juxtaposition the lower portion of each of said side edges of said one section is spaced apart from the lower portion of the adjacent one of the side edges of said other section.
 9. The bucket of claim 8 wherein said rear section is fitted partially within said front section where said sections are in said closed position.
 10. The bucket of claim 8 including means for attaching said bucket to the arm of a vehicle for pivotal movement relative to said arm about an axis adjacent said axis of relative pivotal movement of said sections.
 11. The bucket of claim 8 wherein each of side edges of said other section defines a concave surface extending upwardly from adjacent the bottom edge of said other section to approximately midway the height of said other section.
 12. The bucket of claim 11 wherein each of said side edges of said other section defines a convex surface extending upwardly from said concave surface thereof, and said concave and convex surfaces are smooth.
 13. The bucket of claim 11 wherein said other section is said front section.
 14. The bucket of claim 8 wherein one of said sections fits partially within the other of said sections with the respective sides and bottoms of said sections overlapping when Said sections are in said closed position.
 15. The bucket of claim 8 wherein said actuator is arranged to be operable for pivoting said sections relative to each other through an arc of not less than 90*.
 16. The bucket of claim 8 wherein said sections are connected to each other for pivotal movement about an axis, and said actuator is mounted within said sections between said axis and the bottom of said bucket and includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, one of said cylinder and rod being attached to said front section, the other of said cylinder and rod being attached to said rear section, and said rod being withdrawn into said cylinder when said sections are pivoted toward each other.
 17. The bucket of claim 14 wherein one of said bottom and sides of one of said sections defines stop means projecting therefrom and arranged to engage one of said edges of the other of said sections when said sections are in said closed position.
 18. The bucket of claim 17 wherein a stop projects inwardly from each side of said front section and said side leading edges of said rear section engage said stops when said sections are in said closed position. 